I was joined on the phone By Neil Taggart. He spoke with us about how the school has been working during lock-down. They have joined with the Infant’s school for working with the children of key workers who have been attending. There has been the use of Zoom, Twitter and the school’s learning platform to keep in contact with the other children who in normal circumstances would have been in school. Much creative work has been happening, including this week the building of bridges and taking part in National Limerick day. Captain Tom has inspired many of the children to undertake their own fundraising activities. The staff had also been phoning families to keep in touch during this time. We also talked about all that needs to be done to ensure that the school environement is as safe as possible for the children and everyone in the school community for the HMG target dates of the 1st of June and 1st of July for the return of the children. The playlist tonight included the new track from Sophie Griffiths, a former pupil at the school.

Birthdays tonight were for Mike Oldfeld (67), Ian Ameny ‘Titch’ in 1960s band Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Titch (76) and Brian Eno from Roxy Music (72). Chris in Harlow played Patrick in Ingatestone on guessing their ages. Patrick was the champion tonight. We also featured the chart this week from 1969. Two tracks tonight came from Bill Withers, who passed away during the lock-down period. Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys called him, “A song-writer’s song writer”.

Tonight’s playlist

Paul Carrick – These days

Judy Collins – Amazing Grace. A To 5 hit in 1970 and requested by Phyl in north London.

Sophie Griffiths – Whole

Bill Withers – Lean on me – requested by Neil Taggart

Kenny Rogers – Love will turn you around – Patrick in Ingatestone requested any track by Kenny. He sold over 100 million albums, making him one of the most successful artist ever.

No 1 Beatles and Billy Preston – Get back. The only Beatles track to credit another artist.

No 7 Isley Brothers – Behind a painted smile

No 9 The Boxer – Simon & Garfunkle. From the LP ‘Bridge over troubled waters’. This track took 100 hours to record.

No 17 Noel Harrison – Windmills of your mind

Mary Chapin Carpenter – Why walk when you can fly? For Richard and Jenny.

ECHO – Ain’t nobody – for keyboard player in the band Ollie Lincoln as it is his favourite track that the band have recorded.

La La Land Sountrack – Another day of sun

Bill Withers – Lovely day

Yes – Wonderous stories

Join me next week when my guest is Canon Paul Hamilton, C. of E. Area Dean of Brentwood and the Rector of Ingrave. He will tell us how the local C. of E. have continued to be involved in ministry during the lockdown. On Friday the 29th my guest will be Rob Saggs from CHESS, the Chelmsford based charity working with homeless people.